Double hologram

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method of providing an article with identifying information, in which a hologram is provided from which at least first and second hologram patterns separated physically from each other can be reproduced. In this case, provision is made for the hologram to be produced in such a way that the first and second hologram patterns can generally be reproduced in one and the same direction but in different planes.

[0001] The present invention relates to the preambles of the independent claims. The present invention therefore deals with how identifying information can be provided by holograms.

[0002] Holograms are already generally common nowadays. In order to be able to identify articles, for example as authentic, there are simple holograms on check cards, identity cards, external packaging, such as for software, entry cards and the like. One problem with conventional holograms is that the holograms often provide security against forgery which is viewed only as inadequate. Furthermore, the identifying information is often not precise enough in order to identify an individual article, for example.

[0003] It has already been proposed to provide holograms on articles, the hologram having a hologram-bearing area which is provided with interference patterns which form a holographic image, and it being possible for different holographic images to be produced in different directions. This, requires light to be radiated in from two different directions and, possibly, for the images to be combined. In this case, the expenditure on apparatus is undesirably high.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an innovation for commercial application.

[0005] This object is achieved by using the features specified in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments will be found in the subclaims.

[0006] The invention thus proposes, firstly, a method of providing an article with identifying information, in which a hologram is provided, from which at least first and second hologram patterns separated physically from each other can be reproduced, the hologram being formed in such a way that the first and second hologram patterns can generally be reproduced in one and the same direction but in different planes.

[0007] A first important basic finding of the present invention is to be seen in the finding that particularly expedient identifying information can be provided by hologram patterns being produced in different planes. In this case, it has been recognized that the projected hologram in the first plane does not have to significantly disrupt the reproduction of the hologram pattern separate from this in the second plane if the reading planes are located sufficiently far from each other. As a result of this finding, it has become possible to permit the identification of an article by means of first and second holograms even when light is radiated in from a single direction and, to be specific, even in cases where the area for the hologram can only be small.

[0008] In a preferred variant, at least one of the hologram patterns is a machine-readable code. Such a code can, if appropriate, be structured in such a way that its presence cannot readily be detected, for example with the naked eye, even if a projection screen is accidentally moved into the correct plane. This makes it possible to provide on the article identifying information whose presence cannot readily be established.

[0009] Provision can further be made for one of the hologram patterns to represent a pattern which can be registered visually. This is advantageous, since the simplest possible article identification is therefore permitted. It should be pointed out that there can be more than just a first and a second hologram pattern that can be reproduced in different planes.

[0010] The hologram can be provided on a hologram substrate in such a way that first and second mutually separated regions are provided on the hologram-bearing area. In this case, the subregions used in the first and second hologram pattern can be interleaved with each other in the manner of a checkerboard or combined with each other in a different way.

[0011] A combination of this type, in which the information for the first and second hologram pattern is distributed in total over a larger region, already contributes to increasing the scratch resistance and protection against damage.

[0012] However, it is preferred for a single region to be provided for the first and second hologram patterns and possibly also for further hologram patterns. This region then bears an interference pattern, from which the different hologram patterns in the different planes may be projected. The determination of suitable such interference patterns per se is known. The iterative calculation of the interference pattern which provides the hologram is preferred. In this context, reference is made, merely by way of example, to the article “Fresnel ping-pong algorithm for two-plane computer-generated hologram display” by R. G. Dorsch et al., in Applied Optics, vol. 33, No. 5, page 869 ff.

[0013] The interference pattern of the first hologram is preferably determined in such a way that the first and second hologram patterns lie so far apart from each other that they can be read out with different reading means. These different reading means can then, for example, receive light reflected or transmitted through a beam splitter. In an alternative, it is possible to hold a single reading means, for example a projection screen, such that it can be displaced between the two planes.

[0014] The hologram itself is preferably produced as a computer-generated hologram by using a single write beam. The article-characterizing information which is provided can be individually characterizing information, such as a portrait of the user of the article, an address, medical data or, for example in the case of a technical article, information which relates to its manufacture.

[0015] The write beam can in particular be a laser beam. The use of a double beam from a material, in particular a beam which pre-illuminates over a large area, and a beam which writes point by point in the region pre-heated, for example, by the pre-illumination, is possible.

[0016] The hologram can be impressed into a substrate, in particular if a series of articles is to be provided with items of identifying information identical to one another. In the case of interleaving, first parts can be pre-impressed, while other parts can be written individually.

[0017] The invention relates further to an apparatus for reading a hologram containing identifying information, such as emerges in particular from one of the method claims, the apparatus comprising a reading light source for the reproduction of the at least first hologram pattern in that direction in which the second hologram pattern can also be reproduced. Therefore, only a single reading light source is required for the reproduction of the two hologram patterns.

[0018] In the case of the apparatus, at least one hologram-pattern reproduction means can be fixedly provided, it being possible for this to be, in particular, a projection screen. Furthermore and/or alternatively, a photosensitive field, in particular a CCD, can be provided, in order in particular to register a hologram pattern representing machine-readable code in or close to its focal plane.

[0019] If a photosensitive field is provided, it is preferred for the apparatus to comprise a data processing unit, in order to evaluate the pattern registered by the photosensitive field directly in the apparatus.

[0020] Protection is also wished for a data medium having an area to accommodate a hologram as claimed in one of the method claims and, respectively, also the use of a data medium to accommodate such a hologram. Particularly suitable data media comprise a polymer material, into which the hologram is introduced. The polymer material can be a pre-oriented polymer material, in particular pre-oriented polypropylene. The article safeguard is produced separately from the article and then arranged on the latter.

[0021] The invention will now be described below by way of example, using the drawing, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a sketch relating to reading a hologram according to the invention.

[0023] According to FIG. 1, a reader designated generally by 1 for reading a hologram 2 on a hologram substrate 3 a which belongs to an article 3, comprises an individual laser 4, whose light beam 5 is deflected onto the hologram 2 by means of suitable optics 6 a, 6 b, the diffracted light of first order, differing from the light of the zeroth order, passing through optics 8 here, which improves the signal/noise ratio when receiving the diffracted light by means of the early delimitation of the light of zeroth order, but which is not absolutely necessary per se.

[0024] The hologram 2 is a computer-generated hologram produced with a single-beam writing device. The interference pattern of the hologram 2 is chosen such that two sharp but different hologram patterns are produced at two different distances from the hologram substrate 3.

[0025] The article 3 in the present case is a check card, on which a region 3 a of pre-oriented polymer is provided, which bears the hologram 2. The interference pattern of the hologram in this case extends over the entire area of the hologram substrate 3 a.

[0026] The laser 4 emits visible light. The visible light is collimated by the lens 6 a and radiated in onto the hologram 2 at an oblique angle by a deflection mirror 6 b. The oblique irradiation is carried out in such a way that the main reflection of light diffraction of zeroth order 7 does not fall into the further optical arrangement 8 for determining the two hologram patterns encoded in the hologram.

[0027] The optics 8 comprise a beam splitter 8 a, which is arranged in that direction in which the light diffracted in the first order by the hologram 2 enters.

[0028] At a first distance a from the beam splitter 8 a there is in the transmission light path a projection screen 8 b, the distance a being chosen such that the first hologram pattern is imaged sharply on the projection screen. In addition, in the reflection light path for the light reflected by the beam splitter, there is a CCD array 8 c which is arranged at the distance b and which is connected to a detection unit (not shown) for the identification of a machine-readable code. The optical path lengths a and b are different.

[0029] The reader 1 is used as follows:

[0030] First of all, the article 3 bearing the hologram 2 is arranged with the hologram 2 at the envisaged position and illuminated by the laser 4. The first hologram pattern is then inspected visually on the projection screen 8 b, as indicated by the eye 9.

[0031] At the same time, without a further laser light source being required, the second hologram pattern is registered on the CCD 8 c, and the machine code projected as a result is decoded and checked for its information content.

[0032] The advantage with the arrangement is that merely viewing the hologram, even when the first, optically visible hologram pattern is produced, does not permit the fact that a further, machine-decodable hologram pattern is present to be detected.

[0033] It should be pointed out that more than two hologram patterns can be encoded; in particular in more than two planes. It should be mentioned that, in addition to visible light, invisible light, in particular from IR laser diodes, is also used. 

1. A method of providing an article with identifying information, in which a hologram is provided, from which at least first and second hologram patterns separated physically from each other can be reproduced, characterized in that the hologram is produced in such a way that the first and second hologram patterns can generally be reproduced in one and the same direction but in different planes.
 2. The method as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the hologram patterns represents a machine-readable code.
 3. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the hologram patterns represents a pattern which can be registered visually.
 4. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hologram is computer-generated.
 5. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first regions are provided in the hologram for the first hologram pattern and second regions for the hologram pattern.
 6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second regions are interleaved.
 7. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a common region is provided for the first and second hologram patterns.
 8. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hologram is determined by means of iterative calculation steps.
 9. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second hologram patterns are determined so far apart from each other that they can be read with different reading means.
 10. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hologram is produced by using a single write beam.
 11. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an item of information characterizing the article individually, in particular a portrait, an address, and/or production information, is provided.
 12. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hologram is impressed into a substrate.
 13. An apparatus for reading a hologram containing identifying information on an article, in which at least first and second hologram patterns separated physically from each other can be reproduced, comprising a reading light source for the reproduction of at least the first hologram pattern in that direction in which the second hologram pattern can also be reproduced.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one hologram pattern reproduction means for at least one hologram pattern is provided.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that a hologram pattern reproduction means for more than one hologram pattern is provided.
 16. The apparatus as claimed in either of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the hologram pattern reproduction means is a projection surface.
 17. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the hologram pattern reproduction means is formed by a photosensitive field, in particular a CCD, onto which the hologram pattern is projected to reproduce it.
 18. The apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that a data processing unit is also provided, in order to evaluate the pattern registered by the photosensitive field.
 19. A data medium having an area for accommodating a hologram, from which at least a first and a second hologram pattern can be reproduced in such a way that the first and second hologram patterns can generally be reproduced in one and the same direction but in different planes.
 20. The data medium as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the area for accommodating the hologram is formed by a polymer material, in particular a pre-oriented polymer material. 